Ship emissions contribution to particle concentrations in Falsterbo

Abstract: The aim of this study is to estimate the average contribution of airborne particulate chemical substances in Falsterbo due to shipping emissions. Particularly the sulphate content will be analysed and its effect on both the environment and health will be discussed. The contribution was calculated using measurements in Falsterbo with a Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS) amongst other instruments. The SP-AMS measures particle concentrations of sulphate, nitrate, ammonium, organic aerosols, chlorine and refractory Black Carbon. Based on data from one specific day, when the shipping contribution is high, the contribution from shipping to particulate sulphate was 0.88% of the total sulphate concentration, which corresponds to 0.007 µg/m3 sulphate. For the entire measurement period, the sulphate contribution was between 0.4 and 0.5%. The contribution of the other substances was overall low with only a few distinct peaks, even though ship plumes could be seen. This could be due to low emission factors of these compounds. An analyse of data from the entire measurement period will be necessary to obtain a more accurate result.